Colum Eastwood MP has welcomed confirmation from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt that his Department is set to invest in an Emergency Dental Clinic for the Western Trust area to see patients requiring out-of-hours emergency dental care.

Mr Eastwood wrote to the Health Minister earlier this year to make the case for investment in routine and emergency provision in Derry where patients struggle to access NHS dentistry services.

Colum Eastwood MP said: “For people across Derry, it can feel virtually impossible to get a dentist appointment.

" Around 42% of people in the council area are not registered with a health service dentist and many of them are forced to manage painful, complex conditions without adequate support. Dental pain and conditions have a severe impact on quality of life and self-confidence so it’s important that services are accessible for everyone who needs them.

Colum Eastwood has welcomed investment in an Emergency Dental Clinic.

placeholder image — Colum Eastwood has welcomed investment in an Emergency Dental Clinic.

“I raised these issues with the Health Minister earlier this year and I am glad that he is making good on his promise to fund an emergency dental clinic in the Western Trust.

"That’s good news for people who find themselves in acute pain and need immediate treatment and I am glad that the Minister has listened.

“There are broader challenges facing dentistry in the city and this announcement will have limited impact on people trying desperately to get routine checkups or non-emergency treatment. It’s a start but we do need more significant investment in dental services which are preventative so that people don’t get to the point of emergency. This is an issue that I know a lot of people care about and I’ll keep working with the Minister and my colleagues in the Assembly to have it addressed.”